All over the country and all over the world, Illinois State University students are making a difference on Alternative Breaks.
Alternative Breaks, a student organization supported by Leadership and Community Connections in the Dean of Students Office, provides ISU students with opportunities to enact social change. Alternative Breaks organizes local, national, and global service trips to help meet needs of communities.
Students can volunteer to help build homes for the homeless, feed hungry families, tutor young children, and much more. Hundreds of students are about to embark on their 2015 Alternative Spring Breaks.
In summer 2014, students made their first-ever Alternative Summer Break trip to Ghana. Senior political science major Miles Spann was one of them.
“I’ve learned that in America we have a lot of privileges and we don’t appreciate what we have,” Spann said. “But then also I’ve learned that sometimes the simple joys come from having nice conversations, playing in the rain, having a good meal with friends and family. I’ve learned to appreciate all types of life and all types of people, and just enjoy helping each other.”
Support from alumni and other friends of the University could expand service opportunities for students.
“Our Alternative Breaks programs cost money,” said Annie Weaver, senior specialist in Leadership and Community Connections. “We want every student to experience this. We want them to have an immersive experience on an Alternative Break, and know what it’s like to experience a new culture and community.”
Want to support Alternative Breaks? Make your gift today.
Want to go on an Alternative Break trip? Applications are released each year at Festival ISU and are due in October.
Contact STATEside’s editor at rmdenha@IllinoisState.edu.
